Mayor keeps his eyes on summer drink-driving risks

Leeds City Council's road safety officials say people may drink more than usual during longer summer evenings – and then be tempted to drive without being aware of exactly how much alcohol they have consumed.

Next Monday, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor James McKenna will highlight the potential dangers during a simulation of drinking too much.

Wearing a pair of "drink goggles" that reproduce the effect of alcohol by altering the wearers' visual perceptions of what is happening around them, he will then try to walk in a straight line and stand on one leg, to see how his reactions are affected.

Coun McKenna said: "The 'drink goggles' demonstrate just how much a person's judgment is impaired after consuming alcohol – thankfully without the fatal consequences that often result when an impaired person gets behind the wheel of a car.

"There is no excuse for drink-driving whatsoever," he explained, adding that "the council, together with the police, are committed to reinforcing this message to as many people as possible."

Leeds City Council road safety manager Becky Prosser said: "The temptation to drink alcohol can be very high during the holiday season, particularly when visiting family and friends or during the warmer summer evenings.

"There is no safe way to estimate the level of alcohol in your system so it is simply safer not to drive after you have consumed even the smallest amount of alcohol.

"Make use of public transport, book a taxi or arrange a 'designated driver' who will stay on the soft drinks all evening," she advised.

The road safety unit runs specific events at the city's schools using a hedgehog mascot called Spike who also appears at local galas and other events.